Wednesday 13 January 2021

Today is Wednesday 13 January, in the First Week of Ordinary Time.

Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, sing “Bless the Lord My Soul” from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers.  “Bless the Lord, my soul.  Lord God, how great you are!”  As I begin to pray today, I acknowledge the greatness of God, who created me and everything around me, the earth the moon and the stars, who makes springs gush forth in the valleys and grass grow for the cattle.  And I place myself in the hands of that great and wonderful God.

Today’s reading is from Psalm 104.

Psalm 104

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honour and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers. You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken.

You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal; the wild asses quench their thirst. By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart. These all look to you to give them their food in due season; when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

This song of creation is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our calling to live sustainably. We experience the glory of God through creation and we give glory to God by working with and respecting creation. Yet how much in our world today is God’s glory abused and rejected?

God is the source of all life, and the relationship between humanity, God and creation is significant in the scriptures, as it should be in our daily lives. Right relationships with God, with one another and with creation are nurtured by and feed into a full and holistic spirituality. What are the ways in which you have tried to live that mean future generations can cherish the earth too?

As you listen to the passage again, imagine yourself immersed in the song, in the creation story.

I n our hectic world that is wearied by a pandemic, take some time to be aware of and cherish God’s creation. See or imagine the beauty of the earth around you. Just sit in awe and marvel. Offer all your thoughts and prayers to God in thanks and perhaps you might want to ask for forgiveness for the ways in which we all participate in the destruction of this holy creation. Talk to God about what you see and the feelings that arise from this.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.